Unit 73: Sound for Computer Games

P2 Understand the methods and principles of sound design and production

Research and explain when you would use the following sound formats and why?

Sound File Formats:

Uncompressed: WAV, AIFF, SMP, VOC.

Lossy Compression: MP3, RA, VOX.

You would use Uncompressed file formats for things such as Blu-ray discs, and gaming consoles such as PS4, Xbox One, and of course the PC, because these machines can handle it at his peak, and therefore there's no need to get rid of the quality, however if you're going to make a game for a phone or tablet, you're going to need to compress it, which means you'll be discarding some of the quality to make the file size smaller. However audio that you download onto the phones use the MP3 file, which is Lossy compression, because a phone can't handle the uncompressed file.

Audio Sampling

1) How can resolution and bit-depth constrain file sizes? 

With high resolution comes a huge file size, because you're keeping all of the data to get the best quality you could possibly have, you would use such files for Blu-Ray discs, and game consoles such as the PS4 and Xbox One, not forgetting the PC. This would let you keep all the quality to give the viewer the best experience. However if you were going to place such a file on a phone, it wouldn't work, the phone wouldn't be able to handle it, and even if it did, it wouldn't be able to download any other apps because it would run out of space from that one file. Therefore it'd be better to compress the file and lose some of the resolution if you were going to place the file on a phone or tablet.

2) Explain what the following words mean?


Sample Rate: Information

Mono/Stereo: Information

Surround: Information

Audio Limitations of Game Platforms

How can the following information limit the recording of sound?

DSP: Digital Signal Processor - A DSP is a specialized microprocessor. The goal of a DSP is to measure, filter and/or compress analogue sounds. This would limit the recording of sound and you would lose some quality.
RAM: Random Access Memory - A RAM disk loses the stored data when the computer is shut down, unless memory is arranged to have a standby battery source. This would limit the recording of the sound and you'd lose quality because a RAM disk loses some stored data when the computer is shut down.
File Format: MP3, WAV, AIFF - These file formats will compress the audio which means you will lose some of the quality, this will limit the recording of sound, however you will only need to compress the file if you're going to put this game on a phone. If the audio is for a PS4 game on a Blu Ray disc, then there will be no reason to compress the file and you can record uncompressed.
Audio Output: Mono, Stereo, Surround - Mono can limit the recording of sound because it is mainly used for phones, which requires you to use an MP3, which cuts some quality. Stereo wont cut quality because you don't have to compress the file, you can record it uncompressed. Surround sound doesn't cut quality either.
PCM: Pulse Code Modulation - In a brief sentence, PCM is a method used to convert an analog signal into a digital signal.

Audio Recording Systems

In what types of scenario may you use the following audio recording equipment?